Pam2 and Her Escapades

Går

2009-02-10T23:07:00.000-08:00

The long road walk home!

Kampala :-)

2009-02-07T01:05:00.000-08:00

There's lots of differences as one walks through the capital of Uganda. Lets take a look!

Well u've probably not seen some of these. So c'mon....take a walk one of these days....God I love this city.

Ut på tur!

2009-01-30T23:28:00.000-08:00

Faith, Ole-Johan, Nils-Jakob and I left for Entebbe on 26th Jan to relax, and well ... get some fresh air. We visited the botanical gardens, ate and checked out the education centre.

Trying out some vines...it was tricky swinging on those but apparently they were strong 4 our weight :-)

The meal after an eternity of walking.... chicken in a basket ha ha!

Yeah...we met him and a red sign shouting "THIS ANIMAL IS DANGEROUS"

'Muzungu' fascinated by white ants...

Go.........Learn.......Become

2008-12-30T04:01:00.000-08:00

From August 12, 2007 to June 13, 2008 I got an opportunity with the Fellowship of Christian Unions (FOCUS) Uganda to attend Hald International Center in Mandal, Norway and participate in the youth exchange programme of Norwegian Universities and Schools Christian Fellowship (NKSS), funded by Fredskorpset (FK) Norway.

At Hald International Centre the setting is really multicultural. The students come from four continents, and 13 different countries of, Uganda, Norway, Brazil, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, Cameroon, Peru, Bolivia, Thailand, Laos, Serbia and Montenegro. The academic year consisted of a 6 week preparatory course, 6 ½ months internship in an area in Norway for the international students or the participating countries for the Norwegian students and 9 weeks of studies and information work.

Studies included, culture and intercultural communication which focused on learning to live in a different culture, Christian faith, mission and social ministries, Development and global issues where equality for all and poverty eradication in the poor countries of the world was emphasised, Leadership development and personal growth, communication and information work, as well as Language skills-Norwegian is the official language. Country evenings took place, where students presented their (placement) countries, through food, clothes and entertainment.

Norway is a beautiful country with mountains, fjords, pine forests and vibrant cities. In summer the trees and grass are green, as fall sets in green turns to yellow, brown, orange, and purple which looks magnificent. In winter the snow piles gently on the ground as though intent on not harming the life beneath leaving a sight of white everywhere. With the coming of spring, more smiles appear on peoples’ faces, flowers sprout and trees start budding. Life has come back, the sun shines again and no one wants to stay indoors on a bright spring day.

The country is safe one need not worry about being robbed or attacked, the air is fresh, the environment clean (rubbish bins are in all public places and people make use of them). Many things still stand out for me, the lovely people who appear closed in at first but are really nice when one gets to know them, friendly smiles, going out to movies with friends, learning to ski, picking berries in bushes, taking walks in the night and the sun is still shining, roasting sausages on open fire on a cold winter day drinking hot chocolate, eating bread, seeing apple trees everywhere laden with fruits, coloured mailboxes on homes and wooden houses painted white, cream, red, yellow or grey.

Learning to cope in a different culture was challenging though interesting. The food was strange, the language foreign, the weather very cold. Cultural differences can bring the best experiences to ones’ life as well as misunderstandings, for example an innocent comment like, “You look smart” intended as a compliment can create hurt feelings.

Coming from a relationship based culture to one based on efficiency thus task oriented, I thought it polite to first greet and indulge in small talk before enquiring about things, but that was ‘wasting’ people’s time. Everything seemed to move very fast. People seemed always on a rush to get somewhere. Respecting someone means stating the main points when you call and arriving early for appointments.

Clothes are a very important issue I learnt that there is no bad weather but bad clothing. I loathed putting on the four or five layers of clothes, but when temperatures are 20 degrees below zero, the saying that smartness knows no weather does not apply.

Issues that fascinated me which I hope that as a country we could learn and implement include;
Children have a commissioner who promotes their interests regarding public and private authorities and follows up their growth and development conditions. It is forbidden to physically punish children. They are instead taught independence and responsibility while encouraging a love for nature and respect for others.

The people have a do it yourself attitude where they like to work with their hands to accomplish at home daily tasks. There are no housemaids so all the house work is done by the occupiers of the house. We too could do our own house work and not pay someone else to do it, transform what seems like hard work into pleasurable expenditure of energy.

Health services are financed through compulsory membership in the national insurance scheme which covers the entire population. This prevents social problems, promotes economic and social security and improves living conditions for people. Everyone has access to a doctor.

The country is rich mainly because of the oil and fish industry, but people are careful on how they spend their money. Simple lessons I learnt: Send an SMS instead of calling, don’t buy low quality things just because they are cheap, have broad knowledge on what is happening and in all think about the environment and how the decisions made will affect it.

I am grateful I got this experience as I have obtained new knowledge and understanding. Involvement with different cultures has broadened my thinking and changed my world view. The world now seems smaller.

The give away!

2008-09-24T02:35:00.000-07:00

This is a traditional Kinyankore ceremony where the girl's family gives her away to the family of the boy for marriage. We were given...and man, was she a beauty!!!! Trouble is .... many girls are brought and the groom has to pick the right lady...woe unto him that chooses wrongly! Interesting.........
With some of the guests.

The field

2008-07-28T03:37:00.000-07:00

Yeah now I know what it means to be in the field....get up very early, have a busy day, sleep late. Incredible...haven't got time to meet some of my friends...they are either busy or am busy...oops. Is this what it all ought to be? Guess not!!!

Work

2008-07-16T06:58:00.001-07:00

I sit in here with Kenneth, Godwin and Pascal. The company is Country Safaris, a tour company in Uganda offering: Gorilla tracking and hiking, Mountaineering on the mountains Rwenzori and Elgon, Bird watching, Chimpanzee tracking, White water rafting, Nature walks, Group camping, Family and corporate retreats, Cultural visits/entertainment and Bridal entourage cars.

Information work

2008-07-16T03:06:00.000-07:00

I've been a while now in Uganda. Got a job....so am a hapi lady. This was a day off from the busy schedule... and uncle Sam took Faith and I away to the beach with the ladies who'll be in Trd this year! We talked alot about Norway, the experiences we got, and what they shd expect....guys this was a great time to reflect back esp. with the waves of L.Victoria laping at our feet! Information work is ok...just that people are more interested in telling what happened while I was away... still trying different ways to deliver what I learnt.

Introducing team FOCUS Uganda!

2008-07-11T06:51:00.000-07:00

Same same but different...........this is the team that touched and is still touching many hearts in Uganda..Bravo people. Keep doing the good work.

In Uganda!!

2008-06-30T06:34:00.000-07:00

On June 13^th we tearfully left Hald…the time together seemed very short!!!! N’how it didn’t feel like ten months. I found a convoy of hapi faces at Entebbe airport. Oh, I felt much loved when I found my family and friends waiting for me….and there after to a surprise dinner. I’ve now been in Uganda for two weeks...and it feels good to be back, meet friends, and well, interestingly notice things I almost never noticed b4! I eat matooke everyday!!!!uhhmm miss “the bread” tho’…here it’s different without pǻ legg esp brown cheese!! Started on information work….our home coming seminar was great, in Banana village… guys, this is one place in Uganda that you sh’d visit. I’m hapi 2 be back…have adjusted to the place…mad at kavera…it’s everywhere!!

Out in the sun

2008-05-12T09:31:00.000-07:00

Sure feels good to go out in the sun...breathe the fresh air....and yea got it right loose layers of clothes.

Dinner

2008-05-12T08:24:00.000-07:00

With Lars og Bjørg
With Jorunn

The botanical garden

2008-04-08T13:39:00.001-07:00

With Joseph, Dina,Tolkel....
The flowers were irresistible
Don't you feel like picking one?? We were arguing whether these are tortoises or turttles. Is there a difference n'way??

Yea and ofcourse the plants.

Because of love!!!

2008-04-08T02:23:00.000-07:00

This was the conference in Austria during Easter!

Matooke in Trondheim!!

2008-04-08T02:17:00.000-07:00

If you've not heard about Matooke, then you know so little about me!!! He he he...what d u think? That's my best dish. Was so thrilled to find it here. Pics of when it's green to when it's ready to eat!!!

At Gunn's 4 dinner!

2008-04-08T02:13:00.000-07:00

We did find him. Uhmm u shd see too!!

The baptism

2008-03-13T16:47:00.000-07:00

Thumbs up for Jirang....he went and did it!!!

Sammy visiting

2008-03-13T16:31:00.000-07:00

Sammy var har fra fra 5th til 9th. Det var fint å være sammem med ham. Først laget vi chapati, og gikk vi på tur midt Trondheim. Som bilder er har.

An easter egg fra Ingrid og Lynn
At Shella's with her cuties
Trying out the earing!!
Og vi spiste chapati men ikke sukuma.
At Jirang's baptism.

Snø

2008-03-13T16:27:00.000-07:00

Tideliboom....well I guess this says abit of what is here. We keep joking calling it Norwegian mud.

Trondheim Art Museum

2008-03-13T15:25:00.000-07:00

Been there..seen it all. Ohh the art is so great..veldig gamle male men det var fint!!! Ann took me around..it costs 30kr for students. Uhhhm well if you've been to a museum then you sure know I could not take pictures. But well got this!!

Mum or Nanny???

2008-03-04T16:24:00.000-08:00

He is soooo cute...and very peaceful. A day with Eldad!!

Chubby chubby.....

C7 bible group.

2008-03-04T16:15:00.000-08:00

Clearing the way for members b4 the meeting.I've had moments that I'll never 4get in this group...I just love the fact that we can talk about n'thing. Here we had just finished sharing about where we grew up and how it was growing up...then how we got to be Christians.

I oslo med Uncle Sam, Faith, Aina og Kay

2008-03-04T15:08:00.000-08:00

Feb 29th a girl proposes but if the brother says NO then he gives 12 gloves...uhhm. The habour...shd take a boat ride one time.

"Å du som metter liten fugl...."
As a wood scientist, this caught my attention. Feighning anger.....guess I did it..tho the baby is better.

Breakfast in the sun....thot of Ug.

Ja, so you know I reached the palace!!!

Taking a stroll around Oslo city.

We left on Friday for Oslo on the night train after the felloship meeting...Bjørn og Tolkel took us 2 the station. The journey was quite long...reached Oslo in the morning, got day cards and went to Aina's place. We met Uncle Sam og Kay later...went sightseeing, to an exhibition"If you were to leave one message to the rest of humanity what would it be"...this was quite interesting. Got quotes from famous writers...."Love till it hurts", "At the end you only have what you give...Isabel Allende", "Try to do things that people can't ignore"......We then visited the Vigeland park, went to Kay's for dinner, visited Uncle Sam's place and haaa.. saw baby Timothy! We had breakfast in the SUN the following day, and left for the train station...on our way, the palace guards were being changed...that was good to look at. Oh..saw flowers. Spring is at hand!!! Had a long journey back to TRD.

The weekend!

2008-02-25T16:02:00.000-08:00

Pa Mjuklia...Had a great time with the children.

Egypt

2008-02-18T15:55:00.000-08:00

Apparently Joseph gave birth.

Spring in Trondheim!!!

2008-02-18T15:40:00.000-08:00

Yeah right...global warming!!!! We were all astounded to see a tree sprouting leaves!!! we all agreed it's abit early for spring...did I say "we"? Any how couldn't resist a pic.

Flowers i Oslo.

A walk in the forest

2008-02-18T15:32:00.000-08:00

Talk about courage!!!! The ground was tooooooooooo icy and it was raining as well as windy....oh somehow couldn't dream getting back to the cosyness of home. We had FUN!!! trying to hold each other to stay on our feet...digging spots with our shoes so others can have where to step...throwing snow balls....guys!!! LATER we had a hot meal at Gunn's. Ran straight to the tap and ran hot water onto my hands...oh heavenly! We shared after over a cup of tea. Wouldn't miss this for anything...guys we should try it again.

Misjonsmøtes

2008-02-18T15:16:00.000-08:00

We've been planing for over a month now...and finally the day is here. We had a good meeting!!! Started from Russia....and then flew to Norway with Bjørn Victor while watching facts about vårt land by Lillian. When the plane landed we had being a missionary in Norway ofcourse by ME!!! you sure missed listening in..okay enough blowing 4 myself. We had Halleluia kitchen with Linda. We then had American auction...ha I bought a book at kr 3!!!! talk about fun...Faith got an mp3 player and Paullet a handbag. Had to display mine!!!

With Paullet after the meeting. She's been in Trondheim.........ohhh had a great time with her...haven't laughed this much in a while.

Alpha

2008-02-18T14:54:00.000-08:00

I've been attending the alpha course at Frikirke...and have had a great learning experience with the bible, my groupmates and my norsk..this is time well spent..we start with a meal at 7:30, sing, get the day's teaching, slip into various groups....this is most interesting as each of us shares what they learnt, gather again and close the meeting together. We had an alphe weekend at AGLO where we had much experience with the Holy spirit...oh it was great seeing people get born again and others be spirit filled and speak with other tounges... We are all now looking forward to the Alpha dinner 4th March.....you are all invited!!!

If you've been to Frikirke then u sure know about this lion. The children love him...and well to say the truth..am always waiting for the beats of "Ja går på livets vag...."

International meeting

2008-02-18T14:45:00.000-08:00

Yeah... the long awaited for meeting.....it wasn't as we expected but it's great to learn that almost all who came already had fellowship groups. We met over platefuls of Tacos....ofcourse we had Ingrid...she brought all the ingredients. N'how we did the cooking with all the international students that came...around 12 in number..arranged the place, ate and talked...I still believe something positive will come out of this meeting.

Impuls - Trondheim

2008-02-18T14:39:00.000-08:00

We had a good time at impuls...went with Faith and Øystein...a HALD student from last year...we met there Glad and Rock. Some pics from the Hald stand.

Attention??

2008-02-18T14:32:00.000-08:00

Seem to attract some.....uhhm who wouldn't like that. An evening with the girls and then later....with the boys after along day of skiing.

Skiing

2008-02-18T14:25:00.000-08:00

This is much fun....it's like learning the whole process of walking. Det er veldig morsomt...og jeg like det så mye!!! First tried it at night when no one was watching...now am a pro. More fun after as one is assured of a hot cup of chocolate and roasting pølse on an open fire.

While you were away....

2008-02-18T12:51:00.000-08:00

One of my bros decided to graduate!!! Congs man am hapi 4 u. You can't miss him in the gown. And ofcourse my other handsome brothers and beautiful sisters...I miss you guys.

Watch the time

2008-02-04T17:51:00.000-08:00

Great had missed updating this so now it's compessation time!!

Girls nite out

2008-02-04T17:48:00.000-08:00

This was great....ladies we shoudd try it again. Tikwe??

Back 2 TRD

2008-02-04T17:34:00.000-08:00

Much is happening...got book reports and a paper to write....too much salg in the malls so somehow can't resist the temptation to run to town once in a while.

Am now a true wiking....don't feel cold n'more.....a haaa haaa.

Eating

2008-02-02T15:50:00.001-08:00

When it comes to food....I won't go wrong. Trust me. N' how for one to survive...eating healthy is the way 2 go. Fish comes in handy and ofcourse.....

Learning

2008-01-26T16:57:00.000-08:00

Uhhmmm in Ug, doing my hair was easy.....had 2 learn 2 do it right......abit satisfied with the result.

Infield

2008-01-12T09:11:00.000-08:00

Having fun with the confirmants

Fun

2008-01-11T03:42:00.000-08:00

An evening out with the Simpsons A fire comes in handy when its COLD!!!
He came from heaven to earth.
Yeah..I sure love to be carried.

In Sandefjord, we got to talk with Siri aboutt the times we missed at Hald...here we go!

swimming!

2008-01-07T06:34:00.000-08:00

Tried it out it Is FUN.....uhhhmm guess I should say was...not until I decided to jump into the deep end. Want 2 know what happened? Watch this.

Daring stuff

2008-01-07T06:33:00.000-08:00

Hati nkugambire ki? Yesterday I swam in the ocean....the water was below 10 degrees and very salty ndugiremu nintetema nkekyana kyembata!!!

2008-01-07T06:15:00.000-08:00

Having fun in Gerenge........uhmm.

Life in Norway

2008-01-07T05:40:00.000-08:00

Been in Norway now for 3 months....ohhhhhhhhhhhh the time of my life. The place is safe...you dont have to worry about being robbed or man handled when taking awalk alone in the forest,the environment is clean...no dust, fresh air......and yes you heard correctly...NO baggage(rubbish) on the streets!

Yo' welcome.

2008-01-07T05:37:00.000-08:00

Ahhhaa ....just two weeks at Hald.....trust me you sure want to know abt all my escapades.....soooooooooooooooooooo.....HERE WE GO!